AnandTech Details How the 32nm iPad 2 Has Better Battery Life

When the new iPad was announced, the iPad 2 dropped in price to $399US/$419CDN. What Apple didn’t tell us was these new price-reduced iPad 2 units are using a new 32nm A5 chip (the same one in the 3rd gen Apple TV) that achieves even better battery life.

If Apple’s A5 is any indication, Samsung’s 32nm HK+MG process is extremely capable. Assuming Apple didn’t change any fundamentals of its microarchitecture, the iPad 2,4′s gains in battery life can be attributed directly to the process. The gains themselves are significant. We measured a 15% increase in our web browsing battery life, a nearly 30% increase in gaming battery life and an 18% increase in video playback battery life. Although Apple hasn’t revised its battery life specs, the iPad 2,4 definitely lasts longer on a single charge than the original iPad 2.

How to know if your iPad 2 has the 32nm process? You will have to open the box and turn on the iPad, and run Geekbench as it’ll tell you if you have the 2,4 model. Happy searching!